Sketchbook & Personal Art

This is the messier side of Phyonix Design – doodles, character art experiments, drawing challenges and all the things I’m learning along the way.

Logos and menus are one thing. Teaching myself illustration, anatomy and full character pieces (including certain very buff dragonborn monks) is an ongoing adventure.

Most of what you’ll see here is work-in-progress, studies or “I wanted to try a thing”. It’s all about improving, not perfection.

Recent Experiments

Initial pencil sketch of Dayus Blanchard Lineart stage of Dayus Blanchard Flat colours for Dayus Blanchard Final shaded version of Dayus Blanchard

Inktober Character Challenge: Dayus Blanchard

A step-by-step character study of Dayus Blanchard, an orc–tiefling gunslinger designed for Inktober. This entry tracks the whole process from pencil sketch to final colours.

  • Character Art
  • Inktober
  • Process
Initial pencil sketch of Infinite, the shadow genasi rogue Lineart for Infinite, shadow genasi rogue Flat colours for Infinite, shadow genasi rogue Final shaded illustration of Infinite, shadow genasi rogue

Inktober Character Challenge: Infinite

A full process breakdown of Infinite, my shadow genasi rogue. From loose pencil concept to clean lineart and final coloured rendering, this piece explores his distinct silhouette and mohawk-like shadow plume.

  • Character Art
  • Inktober
  • Process
Front view of the pallet-built compost bin Side angle of the completed compost bin Early construction stage of the compost bin using pallets Interior view showing mesh lining and wooden frame

DIY Project: Allotment Compost Bin

A single-bay compost bin built from recycled pallets for the frame, reinforced with new wire mesh and topped with a new chipboard lid. Designed to be sturdy, pest-resistant, and easy to access, this build combines salvage practicality with proper structure where it matters.

  • DIY
  • Allotment
  • Reclaimed Materials
Pencil sketch of Coin Clink, a raven kenku warlock-ranger-rogue Final coloured illustration of Coin Clink, raven kenku adventurer

Inktober Character Challenge: Coin Clink

A dual-class wanderer inspired by traditional kenku silhouettes. Coin Clink blends warlock magic, ranger poise and rogue cunning, shown here from sketch to finished render — scythe, stormy feathers and all.

  • Character Art
  • Inktober
  • Kenku
Initial pencil sketch of NoWhere, tiefling rogue Clean lineart of NoWhere, tiefling rogue Flat colours for NoWhere, tiefling rogue Final shaded illustration of NoWhere, tiefling rogue

Inktober Character Challenge: NoWhere

A stylised exploration of NoWhere, a sharp-eyed tiefling rogue with mismatched gaze, twin blades, and a quiet confidence. This entry shows the full workflow from rough concept to finished illustration.

  • Character Art
  • Inktober
  • Tiefling
Early pencil sketch of Sebastian G. Dornez, human servant from Vaesen Clean lineart of Sebastian G. Dornez in a boxing stance Flat colour stage of Sebastian G. Dornez Final shaded illustration of Sebastian G. Dornez

Sebastian G. Dornez — Human Servant (Vaesen)

A stylised take on Sebastian G. Dornez, the impeccably dressed but startlingly capable servant from the Vaesen TTRPG campaign. This piece captures his refined appearance contrasted with his ready-to-fight stance, presented from sketch to full colour.

  • Vaesen
  • Character Art
  • Inktober
Pencil sketch of Lanth Thaeylotte, firbolg paladin-barbarian Final coloured illustration of Lanth Thaeylotte, firbolg paladin-barbarian

Inktober Character Challenge: Lanth Thaeylotte

A bruiser with faith and fury in equal measure, Lanth Thaeylotte blends paladin resolve with barbarian grit. This piece shows his cyborg eye, heavy armour plating and spiked mace evolving from rough sketch to finished artwork.

  • Character Art
  • Inktober
  • Firbolg
Pencil sketch of Mugen, dragonborn monk-cleric Final coloured illustration of Mugen, dragonborn monk-cleric

Inktober Character Challenge: Mugen

Mugen combines the discipline of a monk with the divine strength of a cleric. This piece highlights her confident stance and battle-worn dragonborn features, shown from original pencil draft to full colour rendering.

  • Character Art
  • Inktober
  • Dragonborn
Pencil sketch of Mamma Rigeegee, orc NPC with rollers and rolling pin Final coloured illustration of Mamma Rigeegee, orc NPC

Mamma Rigeegee — Orc NPC

The undisputed matriarch of the neighbourhood, Mamma Rigeegee brings equal parts intimidation and domestic charm. Curlers in, apron tied, rolling pin ready — this entry shows her evolution from rough pencil sketch to fully coloured portrait.

  • Character Art
  • Inktober
  • Orc
Pencil sketch of Ipp, Dypp and Doo — two goblins and a kobold in a trenchcoat Final coloured illustration of Ipp, Dypp and Doo stacked in a trenchcoat

Inktober Character Challenge: Ipp, Dypp & Doo

A chaotic trio disguised as one ‘normal-sized’ adventurer. Two goblins and a kobold stacked in a trenchcoat, trying extremely hard to look inconspicuous. This piece tracks the jump from playful pencil concept to polished full-colour illustration.

  • Character Art
  • Inktober
  • Goblin
  • Kobold

What I’m Currently Learning

Right now I’m focusing on figure drawing, dynamic poses, and turning my scribbles into more confident, finished illustrations. The goal isn’t to become a full-time character artist, but to add more storytelling and personality to the design work I already do.

If you’re curious about process or want to collaborate on character art, TTRPG visuals or similar projects, feel free to reach out.