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Mike Z

@mikez.bsky.social

Guild Eleven co-founder and artist. I mostly work with watercolor. Guild Eleven = my creative friends! https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ovf2usv5d7piqbfwwjq3puar/lists/3kmkp5p2bkp2b Check out my Linktree! Prints & such. https://linktr.ee/artistmikez

7,812 Followers  |  1,213 Following  |  4,527 Posts  |  Joined: 29.07.2023
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Posts by Mike Z (@mikez.bsky.social)

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Some types of guy. Think they are gonna be last page of my Creep Zine project.

28.02.2026 23:45 β€” πŸ‘ 58    πŸ” 17    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 1

This alchemist looks like a patient fella, and it’s turning out fantastic.

28.02.2026 22:02 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Fun fact! If you share this starter pack around, the really cool artists in it will get more followers, and I think that’s really neat πŸ₯°

go.bsky.app/6WQAQna

28.02.2026 19:10 β€” πŸ‘ 216    πŸ” 115    πŸ’¬ 10    πŸ“Œ 3
A digital painting of a vast underground dungeon lain with greyish-blue bricks, ornamented stones and pillars. The main walkways are raised above a lava chamber and covered in fine red carpet with gold embroidery. It is a maze-like ruin with paths and stairways leading left and right to various walkways and doorways. The scene is lit by hanging metal chandeliers clasping large illuminated crystals. The main hall leads back to a raised portcullis, behind which is a winding hallway that twists as if the fabric of space has warped. There are elegant vases on either side of the stone rails bordering the entryway to the main chamber. One vase has been knocked over and shattered open, and you can see rats scurrying about among the gold pieces and ruby fragments that were once inside. Pillars more than twenty feet tall line the main hall, and a strange maze-like rune lies on the floor before a parapet with triangular openings which leads down to the molten lava. Bats are circling and swooping through the scene, no doubt due to your disturbance in this long forgotten tomb. Artifacts, gold and magic are abound in this deep, forgotten place. The pathway left leads to a short staircase guarded by gargoyles, which leads up to a raised stone basin or platform surrounded by a circle of pillars. There is a decorative red cloth draped through the hall high on the pillars, which leads to this platform and marking it with some significance. On a red stone pedestal lies a gauntlet surrounded by flames. This is clearly an item of incredible power. The right path from the center hall leads over path with the statue of a knight standing on a pedestal, guarding a short pillar which is holding a red potion bottle. The end of that path is marked by a tomb with a cross before a stairway leading to multiple doorways. Clearly there is much to explore here, do you dare to continue? Or turn back for fear of what you might learn? I chose to keep exploring, until this painting was complete.

A digital painting of a vast underground dungeon lain with greyish-blue bricks, ornamented stones and pillars. The main walkways are raised above a lava chamber and covered in fine red carpet with gold embroidery. It is a maze-like ruin with paths and stairways leading left and right to various walkways and doorways. The scene is lit by hanging metal chandeliers clasping large illuminated crystals. The main hall leads back to a raised portcullis, behind which is a winding hallway that twists as if the fabric of space has warped. There are elegant vases on either side of the stone rails bordering the entryway to the main chamber. One vase has been knocked over and shattered open, and you can see rats scurrying about among the gold pieces and ruby fragments that were once inside. Pillars more than twenty feet tall line the main hall, and a strange maze-like rune lies on the floor before a parapet with triangular openings which leads down to the molten lava. Bats are circling and swooping through the scene, no doubt due to your disturbance in this long forgotten tomb. Artifacts, gold and magic are abound in this deep, forgotten place. The pathway left leads to a short staircase guarded by gargoyles, which leads up to a raised stone basin or platform surrounded by a circle of pillars. There is a decorative red cloth draped through the hall high on the pillars, which leads to this platform and marking it with some significance. On a red stone pedestal lies a gauntlet surrounded by flames. This is clearly an item of incredible power. The right path from the center hall leads over path with the statue of a knight standing on a pedestal, guarding a short pillar which is holding a red potion bottle. The end of that path is marked by a tomb with a cross before a stairway leading to multiple doorways. Clearly there is much to explore here, do you dare to continue? Or turn back for fear of what you might learn? I chose to keep exploring, until this painting was complete.

A closeup of the raised stone basin or platform on the left side of the scene. Here you can see the fiery gauntlet, in all of its glory. Magic particles float through the scene, and bats circle and swoop furiously around the pillars surrounding the platform.

A closeup of the raised stone basin or platform on the left side of the scene. Here you can see the fiery gauntlet, in all of its glory. Magic particles float through the scene, and bats circle and swoop furiously around the pillars surrounding the platform.

A closer view of the upper left part of the main chamber. Here you can see the tops of the blue pillars are decorated with the face of what looks like a woman. The pillar in the foreground has a crystal in the forehead of the being which is illuminated, and a mysterious red liquid drips from the closed eyes of the face almost like tears. You can see the details of the metal chandeliers, and crystalline lighting. Cob webs are strewn through the scene and spread from the chandeliers over the decorative cloth that is draped across the ceiling and pinned above the pillars by gold medallions. Bats can be seen hanging below the overhang, and around the tops of the pillars throughout the hall.

A closer view of the upper left part of the main chamber. Here you can see the tops of the blue pillars are decorated with the face of what looks like a woman. The pillar in the foreground has a crystal in the forehead of the being which is illuminated, and a mysterious red liquid drips from the closed eyes of the face almost like tears. You can see the details of the metal chandeliers, and crystalline lighting. Cob webs are strewn through the scene and spread from the chandeliers over the decorative cloth that is draped across the ceiling and pinned above the pillars by gold medallions. Bats can be seen hanging below the overhang, and around the tops of the pillars throughout the hall.

On the right side of the scene we see a path guarded by a knight's statue standing on a round pedestal. There is a short pillar behind the statue, which holds a red bottle of some kind. The end of the path is marked by a tomb bearing a cross, and lies before a stairway which leads up to a raised path that leads left and right to even more doorways.

On the right side of the scene we see a path guarded by a knight's statue standing on a round pedestal. There is a short pillar behind the statue, which holds a red bottle of some kind. The end of the path is marked by a tomb bearing a cross, and lies before a stairway which leads up to a raised path that leads left and right to even more doorways.

I've seen artists sharing their most detailed work lately so here is mine. This is one piece that I spent over 100 hours on.

I could write a short book on all the things I learned while painting this. For example: sometimes less is more, and more is just too much. But that's better than not enough.

27.02.2026 22:46 β€” πŸ‘ 71    πŸ” 33    πŸ’¬ 7    πŸ“Œ 0

Epic!

28.02.2026 01:21 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Four stacks of D&D dice on my drawing table.

Four stacks of D&D dice on my drawing table.

Dice towers during D&D.

28.02.2026 01:15 β€” πŸ‘ 35    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
A digital painting of an icy blue, crystalline candle wielding a cold silver-blue flame. The base of this candle melts not into wax, but into a liquid metal not unlike Mercury. There is a small fairy floating in from above to bask in the mysterious light. The scene is composed over a soft Bokeh style background.

A digital painting of an icy blue, crystalline candle wielding a cold silver-blue flame. The base of this candle melts not into wax, but into a liquid metal not unlike Mercury. There is a small fairy floating in from above to bask in the mysterious light. The scene is composed over a soft Bokeh style background.

A digital painting of a Water Golem rising from the sea, crashing through the path of two nearby sailing vessels. The creature is shaped as that of a man, mouth open and arms rising into the air as if this being has surfaced to take a breath of air, but the creature seems angry, as if the vessels disturbed his slumber. The water takes on a translucent green in the base of the wave and the form of the Golem rising, and a yellow light beams forth from his eyes and mouth. The sky is a brilliant cloudless blue, revealing what looks like a calm and serene day to be sailing on the open ocean.

A digital painting of a Water Golem rising from the sea, crashing through the path of two nearby sailing vessels. The creature is shaped as that of a man, mouth open and arms rising into the air as if this being has surfaced to take a breath of air, but the creature seems angry, as if the vessels disturbed his slumber. The water takes on a translucent green in the base of the wave and the form of the Golem rising, and a yellow light beams forth from his eyes and mouth. The sky is a brilliant cloudless blue, revealing what looks like a calm and serene day to be sailing on the open ocean.

Digital painting of an ancient tome covered in vines, illuminated by three golden candlesticks. The title is difficult to make out on this intricate, leather bound book. There is a patterned border, and there are a series of symbols stamped into it as well depicting monsters and winged creatures among other, less visible symbols. The book also seems to be locked with metal latches that clasp the from closed. You can see a small keyhole on the center latch, beneath the vines.

Digital painting of an ancient tome covered in vines, illuminated by three golden candlesticks. The title is difficult to make out on this intricate, leather bound book. There is a patterned border, and there are a series of symbols stamped into it as well depicting monsters and winged creatures among other, less visible symbols. The book also seems to be locked with metal latches that clasp the from closed. You can see a small keyhole on the center latch, beneath the vines.

Thank you for the prompt to share. For some reason I'm kind to everyone except myself when it comes to encouragement and trying to uplift others to create.

I'm proud of the way I render light and materials to bring realism to the stories my art is trying to tell.

27.02.2026 02:37 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Digital drawing in white ink against a black background of a squid cradling a pearl-shaped object at the end of one tentacle. The drawing is stylized with dashes and dots making up the form rather than being a realistic depiction.

Digital drawing in white ink against a black background of a squid cradling a pearl-shaped object at the end of one tentacle. The drawing is stylized with dashes and dots making up the form rather than being a realistic depiction.

Illustration countdown to #WrensAria publication!

03/52 Undersea travel is all well and good until Wren and Widdy have an unfortunate encounter with a giant squid!

26.02.2026 15:16 β€” πŸ‘ 86    πŸ” 22    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Cottage. So I’m writing a prose story right now and trying to work out the illustrations. I can’t really go full out on this right now because I’m working on a contract but I’m making sure I’m sketching one thing and writing one page every day.

26.02.2026 15:21 β€” πŸ‘ 68    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
A forest green beanie on a white background. The front cuff is embroidered with a Triforce with a metallic gold fill stitch, and sienna satin outline.

A forest green beanie on a white background. The front cuff is embroidered with a Triforce with a metallic gold fill stitch, and sienna satin outline.

A dark heather grey beanie on a white background. The front cuff is embroidered with a heart container, as seen on the SNES in LoZ: A Link to the Past (the heart is pixelated, and embroidered with a bright red fill with coral highlights, and a white satin outline)

A dark heather grey beanie on a white background. The front cuff is embroidered with a heart container, as seen on the SNES in LoZ: A Link to the Past (the heart is pixelated, and embroidered with a bright red fill with coral highlights, and a white satin outline)

A stack of three beanies on a white background. Beanies are heather grey, white and black. The front cuff is embroidered with a four hearts in a pixelated style, as seen in the LoZ: A Link to the Past. Three hearts are full red, but the last heart is an empty black. Better to go cut some grass before you head out on your adventure.

A stack of three beanies on a white background. Beanies are heather grey, white and black. The front cuff is embroidered with a four hearts in a pixelated style, as seen in the LoZ: A Link to the Past. Three hearts are full red, but the last heart is an empty black. Better to go cut some grass before you head out on your adventure.

Two beanies on a white background. The beanies are purple with red embroidery, and heather purple with purple embroidery. Both beanies are embroidered with the Sheikah Eye from LoZ.

Two beanies on a white background. The beanies are purple with red embroidery, and heather purple with purple embroidery. Both beanies are embroidered with the Sheikah Eye from LoZ.

Here are a few of the beanies I've embroidered to celebrate the Legend of Zelda's bday this month ❀️

25.02.2026 21:11 β€” πŸ‘ 20    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Journal style art dump of various creatures and items from Elden Ring. Including my character, a wolf dog creature and that giant jar man

Journal style art dump of various creatures and items from Elden Ring. Including my character, a wolf dog creature and that giant jar man

Tree sentinel. Giant armored guy on a horse

Tree sentinel. Giant armored guy on a horse

Massive troll guy

Massive troll guy

Illustration of a horned man with a scorpion tail and massive hammer

Illustration of a horned man with a scorpion tail and massive hammer

Oh, it’s the 4th anniversary of Elden Ring. Only game that I obsessed enough over to do a journal for.

25.02.2026 23:06 β€” πŸ‘ 66    πŸ” 21    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 0
watercolor painting of raccoons and possums climbing around on green branches and roots with stars in the sky. Cartoon style.

watercolor painting of raccoons and possums climbing around on green branches and roots with stars in the sky. Cartoon style.

Going to be putting in a print order this weekend! They'll be heading to me, so I can sign them and send it off. Any other prints ordered by then get signed too!

Usually it just goes straight to the person who gets a print, but this one's for something local.

fallenlights.net

25.02.2026 17:54 β€” πŸ‘ 68    πŸ” 21    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 1
A sketchpad watercolour done from Bosham as the sun went down one evening in 1970. Not sure exactly where I sat but I think the church across the water is St Nicholas at Itchenor (the spire is a little more squat than depicted here). I think G and I were with an old friend and we went for beers in a nearby pub (the Berkeley Arms? Probably a bit too posh for scruffy arty types now). I didn't have a car then so it was bus or train plus a walk.

A sketchpad watercolour done from Bosham as the sun went down one evening in 1970. Not sure exactly where I sat but I think the church across the water is St Nicholas at Itchenor (the spire is a little more squat than depicted here). I think G and I were with an old friend and we went for beers in a nearby pub (the Berkeley Arms? Probably a bit too posh for scruffy arty types now). I didn't have a car then so it was bus or train plus a walk.

One of my favourite old watercolours, bringing back memories of exploring the Hampshire coast by bus or train with sketch pad. This was done at beautiful Bosham in 1970 on cheap paper, catching the sun going down over Chichester harbour - see alt text
#watercolour #Bosham #Chichester #pleinair

25.02.2026 08:50 β€” πŸ‘ 3175    πŸ” 279    πŸ’¬ 71    πŸ“Œ 25

Hey artists! QRP with your sketch vs final!

24.02.2026 21:35 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Detail from THE GUNSLINGER ON THE BEACH. Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger, stares contemplatively across the sea as waves gently lap the shore. Footprints can be seen in the damp sand leading to where he sits, pistol unstrapped at his hip and bedroll at his side. The sun hangs low but intense, blazing a line of orange across the horizon.

Detail from THE GUNSLINGER ON THE BEACH. Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger, stares contemplatively across the sea as waves gently lap the shore. Footprints can be seen in the damp sand leading to where he sits, pistol unstrapped at his hip and bedroll at his side. The sun hangs low but intense, blazing a line of orange across the horizon.

Tomorrow we'll be offering a remarqued print from The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. This print with a small original drawing will be available in our shop on Feb 25 at 11am ET.

A preview is now available for our paid supporters on Substack:

theartofmichaelwhelan.substack.com/p/dark-tower...

24.02.2026 21:11 β€” πŸ‘ 168    πŸ” 23    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 2
Preview
Open Book Chocolates Open Book Chocolates is a marriage between two passions: literature and chocolate. Food can be a powerful instrument in storytelling, from the Muscat grapes MercédeΜ€s offers Monte Cristo to the ever-...

OPEN BOOK CHOCOLATES
🍫 Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Bars.
πŸ“– Literary-Inspired Flavors.
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πŸ“— Facebook: www.facebook.com/OpenBookChoc...
πŸ“• Substack: substack.com/@openbookcho...

16.02.2026 14:12 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

How to support Open Book Chocolates without spending any money:

1) Like and share our posts.
2) Tag a friend.
3) Comment something nice and/or an emoji.
4) Post a pic.
5) Give us a shout-out.
6) Recommend us to family and friends.

#smallbusiness #booksky #classicliterature #craftchocolate

25.02.2026 01:38 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

If you see this, post your black and white art!

24.02.2026 21:45 β€” πŸ‘ 44    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 5

if you see this post a monster

24.02.2026 21:39 β€” πŸ‘ 68    πŸ” 27    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2
Pen drawing of a cartoon-y gaunt, long-faced figure with a few strands of greasy hair and deep bags under their eyes wearing a tiny top hat and a suit jacket with tie. Emerging from under the jacket is a pole being held up by an amorphous blobby being with multiple eyes and tentacles on the ground with another tentacle holding up a crude sign saying "Mondays. Am I right?"

Pen drawing of a cartoon-y gaunt, long-faced figure with a few strands of greasy hair and deep bags under their eyes wearing a tiny top hat and a suit jacket with tie. Emerging from under the jacket is a pole being held up by an amorphous blobby being with multiple eyes and tentacles on the ground with another tentacle holding up a crude sign saying "Mondays. Am I right?"

It was an extended day at work and had to go into the office for it to boot.
Tired but couldn't not draw.
Will start a new bigger piece tomorrow..just a cartoon tonight.

24.02.2026 02:14 β€” πŸ‘ 94    πŸ” 18    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

Hey @rendernev.bsky.social - it's Wentworth the Returning!

23.02.2026 21:25 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you!

23.02.2026 22:41 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
three sections of different paintings. They're all women with masks. A purple one is up front, then a blue and red piece. Only their heads and a bit of hand can be seen.

three sections of different paintings. They're all women with masks. A purple one is up front, then a blue and red piece. Only their heads and a bit of hand can be seen.

Got two more to finish up, might set them up as a set of prints :)
Yellow, and green for the other two I'm working on today.

23.02.2026 13:50 β€” πŸ‘ 22    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Original oil painting by Tisha Mark, "Into The Calm" 14"x11" oil on linen (2025). Vertically oriented abstract-leaning foggy landscape painting, painted in a limited palette of blues and whites.

Original oil painting by Tisha Mark, "Into The Calm" 14"x11" oil on linen (2025). Vertically oriented abstract-leaning foggy landscape painting, painted in a limited palette of blues and whites.

Blizzard conditions here - stay safe & cozy, friends!
Here's a peaceful one from my Breathe series for you.

Tisha Mark Β©2025, Into the Calm, Breathe series, oil on linen, 14"x11"

Original is available:
tishamark.com/product/into...

#art #painting #SciArt #bsnm #ArtSky

23.02.2026 14:56 β€” πŸ‘ 104    πŸ” 22    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0
Comic of A goblin boy and his dog hold a stick that look like a sword. A nerdy human kid asks why he’s so excited, the boy explains it can be anything

Comic of A goblin boy and his dog hold a stick that look like a sword. A nerdy human kid asks why he’s so excited, the boy explains it can be anything

Hoping you all find that perfect stick sword next time you’re out wandering in the woods.

23.02.2026 19:11 β€” πŸ‘ 43    πŸ” 14    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Yes!

23.02.2026 14:14 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A tiny watercolor painting of a cabin near the woods in a snowstorm. In the distance, the forest takes the shape of a looming creature.

A tiny watercolor painting of a cabin near the woods in a snowstorm. In the distance, the forest takes the shape of a looming creature.

I’m ready for no more blizzards, please.

23.02.2026 13:48 β€” πŸ‘ 521    πŸ” 139    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1

If you encounter an undead entity and speak their name, they must answer 5 questions.

Don’t not sneeze in the Shadowfell. If Bless is not cast immediately after, you are likely to be possessed.

Anthropomorphic rabbits are thought to be psychopomps and it is forbidden to harm them in any way.

23.02.2026 01:18 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Getting close to hitting some mini milestones. 3k followers here which easily beats where I was at on Twitter. 1k downloads on my Itchio, mainly due to that No ICE bundle doing absolute work. Trying to focus on my personal growth more and consider any progress a win. Progress is hard these days

22.02.2026 20:41 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0